Dawn Abernathy: 2025 candidate for College of Lake County board

Bio

Office sought: Lake County District 532 board (Vote for 2)

City: Mundelein

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired

Previous offices held: Mundelein Village Trustee (2013-2021)

Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am running for CLC Trustee because I believe in CLC. I was a student at CLC in the 1980s, ’90s and 2000s. I have been able to watch the growth, and continued excellent education that CLC provides to the residents and surrounding communities. I want to be part of their growth with the new technology building in Gurnee.

In tough economic times, many students (and working professionals) turn to a community college for its educational value. How do you ensure that a person’s financial sacrifice results in an educational benefit?

The most important part is that students feel they are getting the best “bang for their buck!” We need to make sure that student have the opportunity to learn in a safe environment, and they have all the tools necessary to be successful.

Whether it is in the form of extracurricular activities, a learning center for free tutoring, availability of professors with hours to meet with their students, and that there is a variety of times and classes available for students of all ages, and taking into account some may have work schedules, so they are able to take classes in order without wasting time waiting for another class session.

How would you describe the state of your college’s finances? What issues will your district have to confront in coming years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?

I haven't been able to look at all the finances. On the surface level, it seems that the current trustees are being pretty fair. I have seen a lot of “travel” expenses by the board and I would like to look further into this. So I would not want to cut anything without due diligence.

On the income side, anyone that knows me from a trustee, to any board positions I have sat, there is always been fiscally conservative. I would not support a tax increase without exhausting all income opportunities.

As a past director of development, and fundraising director, there are opportunities to fundraise in the community, before going to the overburdened taxpayer. However, this is also about the students. So I would go into any decision with, “Is this necessary for the students and is it fair to the tax payer?” If you look at your tax bill, CLC is the best value, I believe on the entire tax bill!

What are three specific nonfinancial challenges your community college will have to face in the next four years and what are your thoughts about how each should be addressed?

The biggest problem will be funding. I believe we need to make sure to keep CLC as affordable for our community as we can. It is important to be able to provide classes for students to get their Associates degree, or to help offset the first two years of a four-year degree.

Another problem will be making sure we have students. We need to make sure the community knows what a “gem” we have here is Lake County.

CLC is highly accredited and an excellent option for students. Lastly, CLC needs to keep with the times. We need to make sure trades and technical vocations are highly publicized. We need to partner with the many trade unions in Lake County to help educate students and provide real experience through their apprenticeship programs.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.

I was highly effective as a trustee in Mundelein. I held taxes, never voting to raise property taxes. I was able to gain consensus with fellow trustees. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes not.

But I feel the best part is whether on the winning or losing side of a vote, we moved on to the next issue. I have a respect for my fellow board members, again, that is why you have a board, not one person or group should make all the decisions. I also will be effective because I will research and talk to all departments involved.

Again, just as I did as a trustee in Mundelein. During budgets, I went to all department heads to discuss their “wants and needs” and made decisions based on their input and the input of fellow residents and trustees.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I love CLC! I have the experience from being a trustee to work with other board members, come to a consensus, and make the best decisions for our students. I have experience working with many departments on budgets, looking through what is necessary to continue having a top-rated community college for our community. I am a true believer in being a lifelong learner. I have gone to CLC during three decades and watched it grow, I want to be part of the future! I also have a Master's in Education from National Louis University. I understand the education side of college.

What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

I would like to have a campaign to reach college juniors and seniors to make sure they understand the opportunities of CLC. They can complete their first 2-year core classes, quicker, easier and more affordable than a 4-year university. I would also like to try to get some on-campus housing so we can bring students from neighboring states to attend CLC.